News
The latest and breaking news and investigative reports about Idaho public education.
JFAC drafting 7.4 percent K-12 budget increase
The budget committee will set the 2016-17 public school budget Monday. The bottom line could match the 2015-16 funding increase, but fall slightly below the recommendations of Gov. Butch Otter and superintendent Sherri Ybarra.
Charter contracts: a short bill, a heated debate
Charter school officials are split on a bill to rewrite the teacher contract process. Three powerful education groups oppose the idea.
Budget-writers boost Idaho scholarship program
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee backed Gov. Butch Otter’s proposed $5 million increase in Idaho’s Opportunity Scholarship.
Marathon literacy debate dominates House floor session
Literacy bill passes 67-1 after several lawmakers question whether the bill would create new state expenses, lead to students being reclassified or promote kindergarten.
Sayles, Dean and Joki will not resign from West Ada board
The three board members all said the will stand for a May 17 recall election. They all said they have heard from supporters who encouraged them to stay.
Eclipsed? Sunshine law expansion killed
Sen. Mary Souza’s bill would have required all school board candidates to file campaign disclosure reports.
New literacy bill receives widespread early support
New literacy proposal still includes supplemental reading instruction for K-3 students, but it adds goal-setting and deadline provisions the committee favored.
West Ada trustees cancel Monday’s meeting
A notice on the district’s website said the meeting was canceled “to ensure that the notice requirements of open meeting law have been met.”
House Education chair will not seek re-election
Reed DeMordaunt says he wants to focus on his work in the private technology sector.
Idaho’s charters lack diversity compared to traditional schools
The Public Charter School Commission, which serves 16,000 students, presented its annual report to the State Board of Education. Highlighting the report was the much lower number of charter students with special needs, diversity and language barriers compared to students in traditional public schools.